温哥华岛大学

The Bachelor of Tourism Management (BTM) program builds on existing diploma programs in Recreation and Sport Management, Tourism Studies and Hospitality Management that stress career-entry skills. Students may apply to the third year of the degree program after completing a diploma in various fields including Recreation, Travel and Tourism, or Hospitality, Physical Education, and Outdoor Recreation.

The degree program will provide applied skills and concepts related to the design of tourism products and management of tourism services. The degree will focus on the development of management and entrepreneurial skills needed for people wishing to assume greater responsibilities within an organization, or for those wishing to start new enterprises.

Career Opportunities

The management of recreation and tourism services is a challenging career in this increasingly leisure-oriented society. Dynamic, creative, and innovative people are needed to plan, organize, and supervise recreation and tourism experiences in a variety of settings, and VIU’s degree program prepares individuals for positions in areas, as follows.

Supervisory/Management positions: usually found in organizations where diploma graduates require continual upgrading of their leadership knowledge base to make strategic business decisions.
Independent entrepreneurs: small business opportunities in the tourism and recreation industries.
Front line-positions: where most people begin their career, these positions require an understanding of the industry and the ability to anticipate, respond to, and satisfy customer needs.

Examples of specific employment opportunities include:

• Commercial Recreation and Tourism Enterprises, such as private tour companies, leisure related retail outlets, tourism attractions, health spas, fitness complexes.
• Adventure Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Park Management, providing nature-based leisure experiences like camping, wilderness experiences, risk recreation, as well as environmental education and managing the resources required for nature-based leisure.
• Tourism Services, including destination resorts and hotels, theme parks, tourist attractions, convention and meeting business, and special events and festivals.
• Tour Operations, including packaging, marketing and operation of tours, tour guiding and interpretation services.
• Sport Management, Public Recreation and Tourism, including parks and recreation departments in municipalities and regional districts, government tourism agencies, community schools, recreation associations, and public recreation facilities.
• Not-for-profit Agencies, including YM/YWCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, and others represented within our communities.
• Accommodation and Food Services, including hotels, restaurants, resorts, and large food service companies providing management services to hospitals, universities and airlines.
• Inclusive Leisure, involving the provision of recreation and tourism services to individuals or groups with special needs in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, mental health and community health centres, etc.